Winding machine



June 27, 1967 F. A. DEPUY WINDING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 18, 1962 INVENTOR I E/W05 ,4. 05 0) ATTORNEY WQM June 27,. 196'] F. A.- DEPUY WINDING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18, 1962 my T u E m 0 4 5 a N m. F

ATTORNEY June 27, 1967 F. A. DEPUY WINDING MACIHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 18, 1962 m m 3 m m m 0 x A f w N v m W z 7, mm a W Y 8\ B mm 2 w m M June 27, 1967 F. A. DEPUY WINDING MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 18, 1962 INVENTOR I FP/Wc/s ,4. flEP/Y ATTORNEY F. A. DEPUY WINDING MACHINE June 27, 1967 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 18, 1962 INVENTOR FFfi/VC/S x4. OEPUY ATTORNEY June 27, 1967 F. A. DEPUY WINDING MACHINE ll Sheets-$heet 6 Filed Oct. 18, 1962 INVENTOR PEA/V675 ,4. .QEPU) ATTORNEY June 27, 1967 F. A. DEPUY 3,327,736

WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1962 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Fi 9 m N SID INVENTOR fieA/vcvs ,4. 05/ 0/ ATTIHHVEY June 27, 1967 F. A. DEPUY WINDING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 18, 1962 'u4 a 195 11.0 Q= Us INVENTOR Fen/v05 ,4. QEPUV Wib ATTORNEY June 27, W6? F. A. DEPUY 3,327,736

WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1962 11 SheetsSheet 9 if" F/G. /8

I 186 L1 INVENTOR "1 1m 7 m2 I 9 7.0 BY m ATTORNEY June 27, 1967 F. A. DEPUY WINDING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Oct. 18, 1962 INVENTOR PEA/v05 ,4. 05 0) ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,327,736 WINDING MACHINE Francis A. Depuy, East Greenwich, R.I., assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Oct. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 231,390 34 Claims. (Cl. 139-224) This invention relates to improvements in automatic bobbin winding machines such as exemplified in US. Patents to Goodhue et al. Nos. 2,638,936 of May 19, 1953 and 2,763,443 of Sept. 18, 1956.

The foregoing patents disclose automatic bobbin winding mechanism associated with a loom for operation in conjunction with the weaving mechanism and the weft replenishing or filling changing means of the loom. The latter patent in particular employed means for causing cyclic operation of the automatic winder mechanism to wind bobbins, doif the completed bobbins from the winding spindle, replace them with new empty bobbins and to handle the ends of the yarn from the bobbins in order to provide for continuous operation of the loom without interruption during the operations of the winder and the supplying of the freshly wound bobbins to the loom. Such patented machines, however, were limited to the winding and handling of bobbins with but a single color and type of yarn and therefore were not adapted for operation with a multi-color loom.

It is the primary object of the present invention to improve automatic bobbin Winding machines of the types geenrally exemplified by the foregoing patents to render them capable of automatically winding bobbins with yarn of difierent types or colors as required in order to maintain adequate supplies of such different types or colors of yarn in the various color cells or compartments of a full bobbin magazine, whereby said magazine may operate automatically and continuously to supply bobbins in the various diiferent types and in the order required to meet the demands of an automatic multi-color loom.

It is a further important object of the invention to provide means for automatically varying the number of windings of yarn of different types or colors about the respective bobbins in such manner that all of the bobbins wound will be of substantially the same diameter, despite substantial differences of yarn count in the differing types or colors of yarn.

The foregoing as Well as other incidental objects and advantages are achieved in accordance with the invention primarily by the addition to a loom of the type such as exemplified in Patent 2,763,443 aforementioned, of a shiftable yarn carrier assembly having a plurality of yarn carrying arms or elements each adapted to draw a different type of yarn from a suitable source of supply. These elements or carriers are adapted by suitable shifting of their assemblage for selective operative asosciation with the winder to deliver their respective types or colors of yarn to a bobbin which has just been positioned in the winder, and to relinquish said yarn to the bobbin for winding, but at the conclusion of the winding to again grip and hold the end of the said yarn leading from the source of supply While severing and releasing the free end to the bobbin.

For varying the number of windings of yarn of the different types in order to secure uniformity of diameter of the bobbins, the invention provides, in conjunction with the winder, automatic means for adjusting the increment feed of the yarn guide which traverses the yarn back and forth across the bobbin being wound.

Since the several different types and colors of yarn are required to be interchangeably associated with a common yarn guide, the yarn guide of the present invention 3,327,735 Patented June 27, 1967 is somewhat modified over that of the aforesaid Patent 2,763,443 by having its guiding eyelet of open or notched type, and the yarn carrier elements or arms are associated with it in such manner that each threads its particular type of yarn through the eyelet as an incident to delivery of the yarn to the bobbin. Moreover in accordance with the invention the return movement of the yarn guide may be utilized to assist these yarn carrier elements in operatively connecting the end of yarn from supply to the bobbin for winding therearound.

Further the invention contemplates the automatic sorting of the wound bobbins in accordance with their respective colors or types, and the depositing of like colors or types in appropriate compartments of a full bobbin magazine in readiness for delivery in such order as may be necessary to meet the requirements of a multi-color loom with which the magazine is associated.

The present invention resides not only in the combination of such an automatic bobbin winding machine with a multi-color loom, but also in the combining of the various new components or mechanisms with the heretofore known components of the winding maenine, and in the novelty per se of certain of said components as well as their sub-combinations with each other.

The accompanying drawings and following detailed description are by way of example only, but will serve to disclose what is presently contemplated as the best mode of practicing the invention. This, of course, will involve details which may be omitted or changed as those skilled in the art will understand, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the improved winding mechanism of the invention,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the invention as applied to a conventional multi-color automatic loom of box type, of which portions only are shown,

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of an enlarged scale of the casing for the main drive means, the cycling mechanism and various other driving and control mechanisms, the cover of the casing being broken away in part to permit a view of such portions of its contents as constitute parts of the instant invention,

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the casing shown in FIGURE 3 with the sidewall of the casing broken away to permit a view of certain interior components including the increment feed adjusting means,

FIGURE 5 is a cross section along the line 55 of FIGURE 3, certain parts being omitted for clarity,

FIGURE 6 is a cross section along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3, certain parts being omitted for clarity,

FIGURE 7 is a rear perspective view showing the yarn carrier assembly with one of the carriers or carrier arms thereof operatively projected in position to deliver its yarn onto a bobbin which is about to be wound,

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the means for driving and coordinating the adjustment of the carrier assembly and the increment feed adjusting means,

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view generally along the line 99 of FIGURE 2, showing the yarn carriers or carrier arms in full lines in their retracted or inoperative positions, and showing one of said carriers in broken lines in its projected position,

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary plan section on the line 1t)-10 of FIGURE 9 showing certain of the driving mechanisms for the carrier assembly,

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the shear clamps at the free end of a retracted carrier arm, showing the shear clamp closing cam structure and showing in section the yarn guide bar,

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure 3 shown in FIGURE 11 with a portion of the yarn guide bar broken away,

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 12 but with the carrier arm partially projected to engage the yarn, the shear clamp having been actuated by the associated cam to sever the yarn and release one end thereof to a wound bobbin while holding and retaining the free end leading from the supply,

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary cross section on the line 1414 of FIGURE 3 showing the means for controlling the one revolution clutch through which drive is imparted to the cycling mechanism.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged elevational view of the positioning mechanism for the carriages of the conveyor and the increment feed adjusting mechanisms,

FIGURE 16 is a diagrammatic end elevation of the full bobbin magazine, together with the full bobbin conveying and sorting mechanism, together with the sensing and control means.

FIGURE 17 is a plan view of the magazine and the conveying tray.

FIGURE 18 is a detail cross section on the line 1818 of FIGURE 17.

FIGURE 19 is an enlarged view of the conveyer latching mechanism as seen in FIGURE 17.

FIGURE 20 is a cross section on the line 20-20 of FIGURE 19.

FIGURE 21 is a rear diagrammatic elevation of the winder structure, with various parts omitted to permit a clear View of the actuating cam and driving linkage for the carrier arms; and

FIGURE 22 is a wiring diagram of the sensing and controlling mechanism.

Conventional structure Referring in detail to the drawings, the present improvements are applied to and combined with a well-known automatic bobbin winding machine such as is disclosed in the Goodhue et al. Patent 2,763,443 of Sept. 18, 1956. The winding machine or mechanism in the present case, however, is adapted for mounting on the frame of an automatic multicolor box loom to automatically respond to the needs of such a loom for bobbins wound with yarns of different types and colors as required to meet the demands of the loom. These requirements are usually controlled by programming means associated with the loom.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 7, the conventional mechanism of the prior patent, which is adapted for use together with the new components of the present invention, includes a winder mechanism having rotary axially aligned spindles 10 and 11 respectively (FIGURE 2) bearing head stock and tail stock centers or chucks 12 and 14, between which the bobbins B are supported and driven for winding purposes, and from which each bobbin is automatically doffed upon completion of the winding operation. The winding will be automatically terminated by the winder mechanism as explained in the aforesaid patent. In addition, there is provided the conventional empty bobbin supply hopper 15, shown fragmentarily in FIGURE 7, for maintaining a supply of empty bobbins B in readiness for positioning between the winder centers, together with donning means in the form of arms 16 fixed on shaft 17 for delivering the bobbins as required into winding position between the head stock and tail stock centers. As is wellknown, these centers are actuated automatically to be separated both for release of a wound bobbin and for reception of an incoming new bobbin, and are automatically actuated to close upon and support the ends of the new bobbin. Also, the driving mechanism is actuated automatically both to institute the winding of the new bobbin and to discontinue same when the bobbin has been wound full.

Means for driving and automatically controlling the winding cycle and the automatic donning, winding and dotting of the bobbins are primarily housed in the winder casing 18 supported on the loom frame F (in FIGURE 2), the main power source for the winding mechanism being shown as a motor M mounted on the casing and trans mitting its drive to the winding mechanism through the belt drive 21, shown in FIGURE 7. p

The winder frame extension 20, FIG. 1, which projects laterally to one side of the casing 18 and is fixedly supported therefrom provides a support and also a housing for certain control racks, rods and other elements of conventional nature as described in the foregoing patent.

The present invention retains essentially the same parts and their functions above referred to, except as to minor changes of structure and function specifically noted in the ensuing detailed description. In addition, the present invention envisions the combining with these old mechanisms of certain added mechanisms.

In view of the known construction and operation of the foregoing mechanisms and elements, they are but briefly referred to herein and will not be further described in detail except to point out their specific cooperation and association with the present improvements as well as any resulting changes of structure or function. Therefore, for a more detailed explanation of such conventional structure reference is made to the disclosure of the Goodhue et al. Patent 2,763,443.

Yarn traverse adjustment As in the Goodhue et al. Patent 2,763,443, the yarn is led onto the rotating bobbin B through a yarn guide 21 having a threaded connection to a normally reciprocating traverse rod 22, FIG. 1, so that the yarn may be moved back and forth axially during its winding around the bobbin. In addition the yarn guide 21 has its zone of reciprocatory movements adjusted by increments gradually outwardly toward the tip end of the bobbin as the winding proceeds. It will thus be-apparent that the overall diameter of the wound bobbin will depend upon the rate of this incremental feed of the yarn guide from one end to the other of the bobbin.

Such incremental feed is produced by intermittent rotation of the threaded traverse rod 22 in threaded engagement with the threaded coupling portion of the yarn guide to thus shift the yarn guide 21 in small increments along the reciprocating traverse rod 22. The intermittent rotation of the traverse rod 22 is imparted to it in a known manner as more fully explained in the aforesaid Patent 2,763,443, from an oscillating ratchet drive or one-way clutch mechanism. Sufiice it to say that the clutch 160, when oscillated, imparts an intermittent rotary movement through the gears. 164 and 120, FIG. 5, to the traverse rod 22, which is slidably keyed through the hub of gear for rotation therewith. The traverse rod 22 thus is freely reciprocable through this gear 120 while rotating with it. The means for reciprocating the rod 22 is clearly described in the aforesaid patent and constitutes no part of this invention.

For oscillating the outer or driving member of the clutch there is provided an actuating lever 40, best shown in FIGURE 5. This lever is medially fulcrumed at 41 and has a pin 42 at its free end engaging in a radial slot 43 in the clutch drive member. The outer or driven end of the lever is urged in one direction by tension spring 44 connected thereto, with its other end anchored to the bracket 45. The rocking movement of the lever under the influence of this spring 44 is limited by the engagement of the anvil 46 with the depending end of a selected one of the several adjusting screws 47 supported in a manner to be interchangeably positioned for coaction with the lever. The rocking movement of the lever 40 in an opposite direction is produced through a follower roller 48 carried by the lever near its free end in operative engagement with the profile of an eccentric disc 49 fixed on the hub of the transverse cam. Each of the adjusting screws 47 is individually adjustable and the several screws will normally be set to differing adjustments as hereinafter set forth. It will be seen that the spring 44 serves to rock the lever 40 to position its roller 48 for engagement with the profile of the disc 49, but that the roller is limited in the amount of its contact with the disc by the action of the screw 47 in limiting its movement under the action of spring 44 toward the rotational axis of the disc 49. The particular adjustment of the screw 47 associated at any given time with the lever will thus determine the length or angular extent of the feed stroke imparted from the cam 49 through the lever 40 and its one-way clutch 160, and the gears 164 and 120 to the traverse rod 22. Thus is determined the angular extent of each intermittent rotary movement of the traverse rod and thereby the length of each incremental movement of the thread guide axially along the reciprocating traverse rod.

The several colors and types of yarn being selectively wound onto the respective bobbins may have a wide range of yarn counts, so that if all of these were traversed by uniform increments along the bobbin to be wound thereon within the same period of time, there would obviously be a wide divergence in the diameters of the completed or wound bobbins of the several different types. In order to avoid this and to maintain the wound bobbin diameters at a substantially uniform level, provision is made for changing the rate of traversing of the yarn to a preselected rate adapted to form that particular yarn to the desired diameter on the bobbin, each time the type of yarn to be wound is changed. This is accomplished automatically by moving one of the several adjusting screws 47 into operative position for cooperation with the increment feed lever 40 each time the yarn to be wound is to be changed, it being understood that the particular adjusting screw 47 thus positioned for cooperation with the feed lever will previously have been set in a fixed position of adjustment adapted to wind the particular yarn onto a bobbin to form it to the desired diameter.

Automatic increment feed adjustment Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6 of the drawings, the adjusting screws 47 aforementioned are all threaded through a horizontal ledge or shelf 50 constituting part of a bracket or slide 51 which is normally carried by the longitudinally movable adjusting screw carriage or selector plate 52 in a predetermined position of horizontal adjustment whereby to accurately position the screws in accordance with the horizontal adjustment of the carriage itself. It will be seen that the selector plate 52 has upper and lower pairs of horizontally opposed tabs 53 53 and 5454 between which are supported the horizontal and relatively parallel guide rails 55 and 56. These rails are slidably disposed through suitable slide bearings 57 and 58 in an upright standard 59 fixed within the casing by screws 60. The adjusting screw slide or bracket 51 similarly has rearwardly bent tabs 61 between which is supported a horizontal guide rail 62. This rail in turn is slidably disposed through the slide bearing 63 at the upper end of the standard 59. At its lower end the bracket 51 depends parallel to the adjacent face of the carriage selector plate 52 and is slidably disposed and guided between that plate and a guide bar 54 supported from the ends of rail 55.

The bracket 51 is thus free to slide longitudinally with respect to the carriage 52. In order to maintain it normally in a predetermined position of horizontal or longitudinal adjustment on the carriage, the bracket 51 is provided with a depending positioning tail or element 64 which extends between positioning pins 65 and 66 on the carriage .as best seen in FIG. 6. These pins are guided for movement along horizontal slots 67 through the selector plate and are normally resiliently urged toward the adjacent inner ends of their respective slots by tension springs 68, each of which is stretched under tension between its respective pin and respective studs 65, 66' secured to the plate 52, see FIG. 5. The horizontal dis- 6 tance between the ends of the respective slots 67 and thus between the positioning pins in their normal positions is coextensive with the width of the positioning tail 64 of the bracket 51 whereby they will normally tend to center and to retain this bracket in its centered position with respect to the carriage 52.

It will be seen that the adjusting screw bracket 51 may be moved horizontally independently of its main carriage 52 by horizontal forces sufficient to displace either of the pins 65 or 66 along its slot toward the remote end thereof. However, as soon as the displacing force is discontinued, the displaced pin unnder the action of its associated tension spring will function to resiliently return the bracket to its properly centered and predetermined position.

On each winding cycle, the entire main carriage 52 is automatically moved horizontally, tending to carry the adjusting screw bracket 51 and screws '65, 66 with it through an outward or projection stroke of sufficient length that, so long as the screws 47 and their supporting bracket 51 remain in their centered position on the carriage 52, the screws will all be moved horizontally past a position of vertical alignment with the anvil 46 of the driving lever 40 for the one-way clutch and its associated traverse rod. The arrangement is therefore such that on the return stroke or movement of the carriage 52, the latter may be brought to rest in a position of adjustment such as will dispose any selected one of the screws in an operative position for coaction with the anvil 46 of the lever 40.

However, in the event during the course of such shifting of the carriage, the lever 40 shall have been brought to rest with its anvil 46 raised to interfere with the movement of any one of the screws 47 with the carriage then in such event the carriage movement may continue, while the yielding connection exemplified by the springs and pins between the bracket and carriage, will permit the bracket to thus have its movement arrested without interfering with the main carriage movement. When the carriage 52 is finally brought to rest in a preselected position on its return stroke, in the event the said screw 47 is still abutting the anvil 46, the subsequent oscillation of the lever arm 40 during the winding cycle will momentarily retract the anvil from the interfering screw. Thereupon the appropriate spring 68 will immediately return the adjusting screw bracket 51 to its proper centered position, in which position the desired and preselected screw will be positioned immediately above the anvil 46 to limit the upward stroke of the oscillating lever in the intended manner and in accordance with the count of the particular yarn to be wound.

For thus outwardly projecting the carriage, there is provided a carriage resetting cam 69 which is best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6. This cam is affixed to the cycling cam shaft 70 for rotation therewith. A cam follower in the form of a roller 71 is medially atfixed on a lever 72 for operative engagement with the cam. The upper end of this lever is pivoted at 73 to a lateral arm 74 constituting a part of the standard structure 59 and the lower end of the same lever is connected through a rigid link 75 to the carriage. Rotation of the cam 69 wi l therefore act through the roller 71, lever 72 and link 75 to cause an outward or projection stroke of the entire carriage 52 of a predetermined length or amplitude which will be determined by the maximum radius of the cam 69, the direction of the parts on said outward stroke of cam 69 being shown by the arrows in FIG. 6. For yieldingly returning the carriage from its projected position there is provided a return spring 76 which is connected under tension between .a bracket 77 fixed to the sidewall of the casing 18 and a further bracket 78 affixed to the carriage itself.

The positioning of the carriage 52 during the course of its return movement is controlled by and coordinated with the corresponding positioning of the yarn carrier assembly 80 (FIGS. 1 and 7), which is similarly projected through an outward stroke of predetermined length and resiliently returned through all or a portion of this stroke under the control of automatic indicating and control means (hereinafter described) which in the present instance cooperate directly with the carriage 81 for the yarn selecting and carrier means. In other words, the finally selected position of the traverse adjustment carriage 52 will be determined through the position of the yarn selector carriage 81 to which it is linked. Both the projection and the return movements of the two carriages 52 and 81 will be caused or produced through the cam means and the return spring above described.

The linkage or interconnection between the two carriages is provided by a mechanism including the rack bar 82 (see FIGS. 36 and 8) which is horizontally sup ported from brackets 83 on the main carriage 52 of the increment adjustment mechanism. The downwardly directed teeth of this bar mesh with a pinion 85 affixed on a shaft 86 which is rotatably supported through a bearing 87 on the casing bottom and through the remote sidewall of the casing as shown in FIG. 5. Fixed on its outer exterior end is a further pinion 88 which meshes with a rack bar 90 which is positively connected to the yarn carrier 80 in a. manner more fully hereinafter described, to cause the two carriages 52 and 80 to move together and to be maintained at all times in corresponding positions such that positioning of the yarn carrier carriage to cause a particular type of yarn to be wound on a bobbin will cause the yarn increment feed carriage to be positioned so as to properly govern the feed for that particular type of yarn.

Yarn carrier mechanism For selectively winding 3. yarn of any of several preselected types or colors onto a given bobbin B after the latter has been operatively positioned between the head stock 12 and tail stock 14 of the bobbin drive mechanism, there is provided the yarn carrier assembly 80, abovementioned, having a plurality of movable arms or carriers 91 (distinguished from each other by the letters A, B, C and D), see FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, each adapted to carry a given type of yarn to a bobbin held in the winder.

The carrier assembly comprises the movable slide or carriage 81 which is slidably supported and guided for movement along rails 92 fixedly supported from the lateral winder frame extension 20 by hangers 93 (FIGS. 1 and 7) which fixedly depend from a supporting shelf 94 afiixed to said frame extension 20.

As is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the carriage itself comprises longitudinally opposed end members 95 interconnected by sleeves 96 and 97 respectively. The sleeves provide slide bearings for reception of the guide rods 92. Preferably the guide rods are disposed to support the carriage 81 for movement along a path at an acute angle of approximately some 20 to the axis about which the various bobbins are rotated for reasons which will be apparent later.

The several carrier arms 91 are supported from the slide or carriage 81 for rotary movement about a common axis which in the present instance is defined by the lower sleeve 97 on which the hubs of the respective arms are rotatably supported. Each such hub includes a gear segment or pinion 98 fixed thereto for selective intermeshing with a rack bar 100 supported for vertical movement on a bar 101 guided for vertical movement through bearings 102 and 103. The rack 100 is therefore immovable in a horizontal or lateral direction, so that lateral movement or shifting of the carriage 81 may cause any one of the carrier driving pinions 98 to be brought into intermeshing relation with it.

Vertical actuating movement of the rack bar 100 is caused through engagement of its follower pin or roller 105 with a switch cam 137 carried by the reciprocable retriever drive rack 138, see FIG. 21, as hereinafter more fully explained.

Each carrier arm 91 will be seen to comprise an arcuately curved section carried by'the outer end of a radial 8 section 107, the curvature of the arcuate section being concentric to the axis of rotary movement of the arms.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9 of the drawings, these arcuate arms are guided in their movement by rollers 1118 carried on a guide bar 110 constituting a fixed portion of the carrier arm carriage. When these arms are in their normal retracted and inoperative positions, each will normally have the shear clamp mechanism 111, see FIG. 12, at its free end in operative holding engagement with the free end of suitably tensioned yarn 112 leading from a suitable source of supply through a guide opening 113 in the yarn guide plate 115. As will be apparent, this guide plate also is carried by and constitutes a part of the yarn carrier arm carriage 81. The arrangement is therefore such that each arm 91 will normally engage and hold the free end from supply of a given type or color of yarn. Each arm will therefore be in readiness to carry its respective yarn to a bobbin operatively disposed in the winder.

By suitable shifting of the carriage 81 along its supportin guide rods 92, it will be seen that the toothed hub 98 of any selected one of the arms may be brought into position for driving engagement with the rack bar 108, in which position a given arm 91 will also be accurately positioned for coaction with the bobbin and with certain yarn handling, clamping and control means located adjacent the bobbin.

As has heretofore been generally explained, the carrier arm carriage 81 is operatively coupled to the increment feed adjustment carriage 52 of the winder, so that the positioning of the two carriages 81 and 52 will be properly interrelated and coordinated at all times. Such coupling is accomplished through means including the rack bar 90 shown in FIGURE 8. This bar is coupled to the pinion 116 of the increment feed adjusting carriage as heretofore explained, these two rack bars being interconnected through the medium of a shaft 86 having the pinions and 88 afiixed thereon and in meshing relationship with the respective rack bars.

Movement of the coupling rack bar is transmitted to the carrier arm carriage 81 by engagement of the teeth thereon with a pinion 116 fixedly secured on a pinion shaft 117 which is rotatably supported from the fixed frame work in a bracket 118, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. A further pinion 120 also fixed on this same shaft 117-, intermeshes with the rack bar 121 fixed to the carrier arm carriage 81. Since these pinions 116 and 120 engage their respective rack bars on generally diametrically opposite sides, it will be readily apparent that the movement transmitted to the carrier arm carriage 81 through its rack bar 121 will be in a generally reverse direction to the movement of the coupling bar 90 and in generally the same direction as movement of the increment feed adjusting carriage 52.

As the parts are illustrated in FIG. 8, it will be recalled that the two carriages 52 and 81 are both positively pro jected in a direction toward the left, this projection being for a definitely predetermined distance and such that the positioning notch 122 in the coupling bar will have been moved past all of the projectable stops 123 A, B, C and D of the sensing and controlling mechanism or indicator. This leftward movement of carriages 52 and 81 and the corresponding motions of the various coupling elements therebetween during said leftward movement are indicated by appropriate arrows in FIG. 8.

Prior to the return movement of the two carriages toward the right, with ensuing movement of the coupling bar to the left, unless the several compartments of the full bobbin magazine are all filled, the compartment having the lowest supply of wound bobbins of a given type will automatically trigger one of the serially positioned stops 123 along the path of movement of the bar 90 to position one of these stops for engagement in the notch 122. This will arrest the movement of this bar in such position that the preselected type of yarn for the particular bobbin compartment will be delivered to it by the appropriate carrier arm 91 which, in this position, will be caused to have its toothed hub 98 in meshing relation with the driving rack 100.

At the same time the arresting of the movement of this coupling bar 90 will arrest the movement of the increment feed adjusting carriage 52 in such position that the appropriate regulating screw 47 for the particular type of yarn selected will be operatively positioned to cooperate with the oscillating clutch drive lever 40 whereby to effect a winding of the bobbin to the proper diameter.

At its free or tip end, each arm 91 is formed as a shear clamp 111 including a stationary or fixed jaw portion 111A and a movable jaw portion 111B pivoted thereto, all as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. The movable jaw portion has a rearwardly extending shank or follower lever 125 adapted preferably by the provision of a roller 126 for operative engagement with the relatively opposed or opposite sloping surfaces of a control cam 127. As will be seen, these faces are disposed to engage the follower in such manner as to close the shear clamp jaws just as the free end of the arm is projected outwardly from beneath the yarn guide plate 115. These jaws are constructed and operate in known manner so that when partially projected, they will operatively engage a strand of yarn 112 extending through the yarn guide opening or eyelet 113 associated with the particular arm and extending to a bobbin, the winding of which has been completed, so that the yarn will be severed and the end leading from supply will then be clamped between the jaws, while the free end leading from the bobbin will be released for handling in a man ner later to be described. Normally each arm will have its shear clamp 111 in operative holding engagement with the free end of yarn leading from its associated source of supply and only the particular arm for the particular type of yarn being wound at any given time will be in the open or retracted position shown in FIG. 12.

As any given arm 91 is operatively projected to deliver its associated yarn onto a bobbin about to be wound, as shown in FIG. 1, it will be seen that it will draw the yarn 112 with it through the eyelet or opening 113 in the yarn guide plate 115 and will carry this yarn over the bobbin B which, at this time, will have not yet commenced its rotation. At the same time the yarn guide 21 which has been moved back away from the bobbin tip will have reached a position wherein its cam edge 128 rides under the yarn and causes same to be delivered by its tension back into the open guide or guide notch 129, following which continued return movement forces the yarn under the bobbin cleats.

At the same time this movement of the free end of the arm to a position forwardly of and below the rotational axis of the bobbin carries the yarn between said arm and a frictional gripper exemplified by the resiliently flexible element 130 which is fixedly supported in position for wiping engagement with the arm to grip the yarn against the side of the arm. Continued projection movement of the arm 91 brings its clamp follower roll 126 into operative engagement with the cam 131, FIG. 1, fixedly supported on the winder casing to thus open the clamp and release the yarn. This arm will dwell briefly in this position while rotation of the bobbin commences and the yarn is accordingly withdrawn from the frictional gripping or clamping means and wound around the bobbin.

The carrier arm 91 then is moved back to a position similar to that of the remaining arms, except that its clamp 111 is in the open position and will remain there until such time as the bobbin is completely wound. When the bobbin is wound, and while the bobbin tail stock is being actuated to drop the full bobbin, the yarn carrier arm 91 will be moved up or advanced sufficiently to be closed by its engagement with the cam as it engages the yarn whereby to sever the free end of yarn and release same to the bobbin while clamping and holding the free end leading from the source of supply.

The cam 127 which functions to close the clamp upon its projection movement will be seen to be carried by a pivoted arm 132 which normally is swung by tension spring 133 to the position shown in full vlines in FIG. 12, whereby it is positioned for operative engagement with the cam follower roller 126 on the clamp actuating arm on the projection stroke of the arm. Its position is determined by engagement of a projecting pin 134 afiixed to the supporting arm with the end of a slot 135 in the cam supporting plate 136 of the carriage. This slot is of suficient length to permit resilient yielding movement of the cam 127 incident to its engagement by the follower 126 on the retraction movement of the arm back to the position shown in FIG. 12.

Switch cam mechanism for carrier arms For interchangeable engagement and cooperation with the various carrier arms 91 in order to drive any selected arm through its yarn carrying cycle, there is provided a cam 137 which is carried by and movable with the retriever drive rack 138 and which serves to translate the lateral movement of the drive rack into swinging movement of the arms 91 as required to carry out their functions. Such a cam 137 is illustrated in FIG. 21 of the drawings. The cam is formed todefine a generally laterally extending track 140 for reception of and cooperation with a follower 105, FIG. 9, carried by the drive rack for the carrier arms.

The cam track thus comprises a horizontal portion 142, FIG. 21, merging at its left-hand end into a short downwardly inclined portion 143, together with a branch communicating in parallel with the horizontal portion this branch including oppositely sloping portions 144 and 145 interconnected by a horizontal dwell portion 146. These latter portions are defined by a recess within which is pivotally mounted a switch element 147 having relatively angularly disposed upper surfaces which are alternately swingable about the pivot 148 into horizontal positions to form the lower wall or floor of the horizontal track 142. The switch 147 is spring loaded to bias it to the position shown in full lines, in which its left-hand upper surface is horizontally positioned for automatic reception of the follower 105 as it moves from left to right. Since the two surfaces intersect in a location somewhat to the right of the pivot 148, the continuing relative movement of the follower from left to right as it crosses this intersection, will swing the switch automatically to the broken line position, whereby it may define the bottom of the horizontal track 142 for continuing horizontal movement of the follower 105. However, when the follower has moved off of the right hand end of the switch, it will be automatically returned by its biasing spring to its full line position with its right-hand end raised, so that on the return movement of the follower from right to left, it will deflect the follower downwardly beneath it in the downwardly sloping cam track segment 145. As the follower passes beneath the pivot 148 of the switch and starts up the incline 144 on the other side thereof, the switch will be tilted back to its broken line position to permit its passage until the follower returns to the horizontal track section 142. At this time the cam switch will again be biased resiliently to its full line position.

Between operating cycles of the carrier arms, and prior to the start of a cycle, whichever carrier arm has delivered yarn to the bobbin then being wound, will be positioned in fully retracted position together with the other arms. However, this particular arm 91, having delivered its yarn to the bobbin then being wound, will have been returned to its starting position with its shear clamp fully opened.

At this time the yarn formerly held by it will be guided directly through the yarn guide eye 113, FIGS. 7, 9, 12 and 13, for the respective arm directly onto the bobbin being wound. This condition will continue until winding of the bobbin is completed, at which time the cycling shaft clutch will be automatically engaged to initiate a revolution of the cycling shaft 70, FIGS. 3 and 21, and with it the crank disc 139 acts through its crank pin 156, and links 151-154 to drive the retriever rack 138 and the actuator cam 137. Such tripping of the clutch will have been caused by the action of the yarn guide substantially in the manner disclosed in the Goodhue et a1. Patent 2,763,443.

From its normal position of rest, as shown in FIG. 21, the initial movement of the actuating cam 137 which then ensues will be toward the right so that the follower 1115 of the rack 100, FIG. 9 will be moved downwardly through the sloping cam section 143 to the lower end of said section whereupon it will be immediately returned back to its first or orignial position of rest. This motion will serve to project the above referred to arm 91 just suificient-ly for its shear clamp jaws 111 (FIGS. 11-13) to engage the yarn 112 which is guided across their path through the eye 113 and to close upon said yarn in a known manner to shear the yarn and release the free end extending from the wound bobbin, while at the same time clamping and holding the free end from the supply. The immediate return of the cam 137 back to starting position will retract the arm while it continues to hold said free end in the same manner as the rest of the arms 91 will at this time be holding their respective yarn free ends.

The movement of the rack 137 toward the left, FIG. 21, then continues with resulting relative movement of the follower 195 along the horizontal trackway portion 142. During such movement, all of the arms will dwell in their retracted positions while the completed bobbin is delivered into the full bobbin magazine. At the same time, the sensing and control mechanism determines which type of yarn should next be wound, and effects shifting of the carrier arm carriage 80 as well as the increment feed carriage 52 to the proper positions required for winding of the type of yarn demanded.

After movement of cam 137 toward the left to bring the follower 105 to the right-hand end of the horizontal track portion 142 and past the adjacent end of the switch element 147, the switch element will have been auto matically raised by its associated spring so that on the next ensuing return movement of the cam toward the right, the follower will be caused :to move downwardly beneath the switch through portions 145, 146 and 144 of the cam track and back to the starting point at the conclusion of the cycle.

It will be apparent that during downward movement of the selected carrier arm 91 coincident with movement of the follower 195 through the track portion 145, the arm will have been fully projected to carry its associated yarn across the bobbin, where it will have been moved beneath the bobbin cleats c and also operatively positioned in the yarn guide 21 by the combined movements of the arm and the guide. It will be appreciated that as the arm 91 approaches the end of its projection stroke, the yarn will be frictionally clamped and retained against the arm itself by the wiping action of the clamp 130, while the action of the cam edge 131 on the follower 126 of the shear clamp at the free end of the arm will open this clamp to release the yarn.

Then during the dwell of the follower 105 as it moves over the horizontal portion 146 of the cam track, the arm will similarly dwell in its fully projected position while the rotation of the bobbin, which will then have commenced, will serve to wind the yarn onto the bobbin and withdraw it from between the arm 91 and clamp 130. The ensuing movement of the follower 105 upwardly through the cam track portion 144 back to its starting point will coincide with the return of the arm itself to its normal position of rest, but with its jaws still in open position and disengaged from the yarn which 12 will continue to run freely through the yarn guide eye 113 for winding onto the bobbin.

Full bobbin magazine The full bobbin magazine is suitably fixed on the loom frame extension 18, as shown in FIG. 2, with its outlet opening directly over the usual shuttle box of the loom. The arrangement is such that a bobbin B selected from any of the separate color cells or compartments A-D, FIG. 16, of the magazine under the control of conventional programing means on the loom will pass through this outlet opening into a shuttle S in the loom shuttle box.

Each of the several color cells or compartments 170A- D of the magazine will normally contain a vertical stack of bobbins, each wound with a given type or color of yarn, while different types or colors of yarn are contained in the several compartments. The compartments thus are adapted to supply the diiferent colors or types of yarns for use as required by the loom. Thus a bobbin -B of a given color or type delivered to the magazine outlet 166 is delivered from there into a shuttle S within the shuttle box by a rapid downward stroke of the usual transfer hammer 171.

Bobbins of proper type and color as required to maintain the supply in the several magazine compartments are wound by the machine and delivered automatically into the open upper ends of the respective compartments as required to maintain an adequate supply of bobbins in each compartment, notwithstanding varying demands on the respective compartments by the loom.

F all bobbin conveying and sorting mechanism For receiving the wound bobbins as they are doffed by the winder and for conveying and assorting them in accordance with color or type into the proper compartments of the full bobbin magazine 165 there is provided mechanism such as shown in FIGURES 16 through 20, consisting essentially of the movable tray or receptacle 172 sup ported above the magazine 165 on guide rods 175, 176 supported by brackets 177 and 178 from the casing 18 (also see FIG. 2).

The tray is thus arranged for travel from a position of rest, in which it is adapted to receive the respective bobbins, to any of a number of preselected positions over any of the magazine compartments 170 for delivery of the wound bobbin to the selected compartment. The tray is carried by a bracket 179 which functions as a slide bearing on the guide rods.

A stationary chute 180 (FIG. 16) positioned above the tray 172 is arranged to receive each bobbin B as it is doffed from the winding mechanism following the completion of its winding and thereupon to deliver the bobbin by gravity into the tray 172 when the latter is in its normal position of rest, or in other words in its receiving position at one side of the magazine as shown in FIG. 16.

The tray is provided with a normally closed gate or bottom 181 hingedly connected at 182 to the tray and urged toward closed position by a spring 183. This gate may be swung downwardly in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 20 from its closed position to an open position such as shown in broken lines in the figure. Since the spring is of insufiicient strength to maintain the gate closed against the weight of a wound bobbin, a spring loaded latch 134 is provided for this purpose.

After a bobbin is delivered into the tray when in its position of rest, the tray will be traversed by means hereinafter described over the top of the bobbin magazine and its various compartments. The traversal movement proceeds until such time as the free end of the medially pivoted latch engages a stop 185 which will have been projected upwardly under the action of the automatic indicator and control means. This stop 185 is one of several similar stops, each associated with one of the compartments. These are projected or actuated selectively into the path of movement of the free end of a spring loaded latch 1-84 to engage same and through such engagement remove the latch detent 186 so that the weight of the wound bobbin may open the gate and release the bobbin into its respective compartment. At the same time, the stop will arrest the movement of the tray. It will be understood that the several stops 185 are selectively actuated to effect the delivery of the wound bobbin into the particular compartment of the magazine which contains bobbins of the specific type and color being delivered by the tray. After the bobbin is released, the spring 183 returns the gate to closed position, engaging the cam edge 186 of the latch detent to retract same for movement therepast.

Traversal movement of the tray 172 across the open upper ends of the magazine compartments 170 is produced by a spring 187 which is tensioned between an arm 188 extending laterally from the tray and a pin 189 carried by rigid outrigger arm 1% atfixed to the lateral extension of the winder frame. When the tray is positioned at rest this spring is tensioned. The tray is normally maintained in this position, with the spring cocked by the action of detent 192, FIG. 23, carried by the lever arm 193 for operative coaction with a catch 191 at the upper edge of the tray. The lever arm 193 is pivoted at 194 to the fixed chute 180. 'Its free end will normally rest on the free end of a further control lever 195 in such manner that the two levers may be simultaneously tripped under the control of the cycling cam shaft 70. The tripping means, FIGS. 3 and 16, is exemplified by the lever arm 196 fixed on the shaft 197 rotatably journaled through the side of the carrier casing 18. This same shaft provides the support for an operating lever arm 198 which is fixed thereon and has its free end extending into the path of a crank pin 200 projecting from cam 69 fixed on the cycle cam shaft 70 within the casing.

With this arrangement, rotation of the disc 69 to cause its pin 200 to engage the control or operating lever arm 198 will function to raise the free end of the associated lever arm 196 and raise the two levers 193 and 195. The former of these disengages the latch 192 to permit the spring 187 to draw the tray 172 through its operative or delivery stroke or traverse. During such traverse as above mentioned, the latch 184 controlling the bottom or pivot gate 181 of the tray will be engaged by one of the projected stops 185 which will not only arrest the movement of the tray over a given compartment, but will at the same time release the bottom to permit the wound bobbin to be deposited in the particular compartment.

For resetting or cocking the tray and its actuating spring there is provided a slide 203 carried by the outrigger arm 190 and guided for movement in alignment with the tray so that its free end will removably abut against the tray to thrust same back toward its receiving position. This slide 203 is normally maintained in a retracted position by a spring 204 interconnected between the slide and the outrigger arm through the respective pins 205 and 189 and 188 as shown.

Referring to FIGS. 17, 19 and 21 the operative stroke of the slide is produced under the control of the cycling cam shaft 7 through projection of the generally conventional lower rack bar 138 such as is disclosed in the Go-odhue et al. Patent 2,763,443. A flexible cable 205 connected to this slide through the pin 206 passes around a pulley 207 rotatably supported on the outrigger arm 190, and a further pulley 208 rotatably supported on the rack bar. The end of this cable is then anchored at 289 to the outrigger arm 190. Projection of the lower rack bar 138 will act through the cable 205 to transmit an operative thrusting movement of the slide 203 against the tray 172 through its latch 184 and its supporting bracket 179 to return the latter back to its normal position of rest, in which position it will be automatically latched by its latch means 192, 191. The latch 192 in accordance with usual practice is provided with a cam surface 192a for engagement by the cooperating latch element 191 of the tray to ride over the latter and then seat or engage itself by gravity.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 21, the stationary chute opens upwardly for reception of the wound bobbins, and has suitably inclined bottom portions 211 and 212, leading to a downwardly directed delivery opening 213 for delivery of the bobbins by gravity into the tray. Superimposed just over the upper sloping portion and located immediately beneath the bobbin retention shelf 215 adapted to receive the incoming Wound bobbins and to delay their passage to the tray until such time as a yarn carrier has completed its action of taking the free end of yarn from the wound bobbin and carrying it to a drum, in the same manner as is accomplished in the Patent 2,763,443 earlier identified. The chute is fixedly supported from the casing 18 by brackets 216 and 217.

It will be seen that the shelf 215 is swingably supported about a horizontal axis by the pivotal connection 218 of its rear edge to the rest of the chute structure.

To facilitate the achieving of this function, the outboard or free end of the chute is left open as is also the free end of the tray, while the latter is formed or provided with an arcuately curved cam edge for engagement by the yarn to assist in guiding the latter downwardly between adjoining compartments of the magazine so that it may extend freely from the bobbin to the holding drum when the bobbin is received within the magazine.

The shelf is normally swung upwardly for retention thereon of the bobbins by means of the spring 220 connected between the shelf rear edge and a pin 214 embedded in the side of casing 18. In order to tilt the shelf downwardly so that the bobbin will roll therefrom and thus commence its passage to the tray, there is provided the lever medially pivoted at 221 on the casing 18. One end of this lever rests on the lateral extension 222 of the shelf and its other end rests on and is subject to tilting under the action of the crank arm 196. This arm, as earlier indicated, is controlled and actuated at the proper time by the cycle cam shaft acting through the crank disc and crank pin.

Because of the length of latch 192 and the time required to withdraw it from latch means 191a the bobbin B is released and deposited in tray 172 prior to movement of said tray. A further factor in this delay arises from the proportioning of the relative movements of levers 193 and 195. Thus, lever 195 is pivoted medially (see FIG. 16) to produce a relatively rapid response at the outer end of this lever to tilt shelf 215. In contrast thereto, lever 193 is pivoted at its end remote from its point of communicating with lever 196. Thus, the rate of travel of elongated latch 192 out of latch means 191a is relatively slow so as to delay movement of tray 172 until after bobbin B has traveled from shelf 215 and become positioned in the tray.

The sensing and control mechanism For sensing the individual requirements of the respective magazine compartments for wound bobbins, there is provided an automatic sensing and controlling mechanism sometimes referred to hereinafter as an indicator. This mechanism functions on each cycle of the winder to sense which of the magazine cells or compartments contains the lowest supply of wound bobbins and to control the winding operation accordingly so that on the ensuing Winding cycle the proper type of yarn will be Wound and delivered into the low compartment. Should it occur that a plurality of compartments simultaneously require wound bobbins, the sensing and controlling mechanism is arranged to supply the demands of these in predetermined sequential order.

As will be seen in FIGURE 16 each of the various magazine compartments has associated with it a feeler mechanism exemplified by the micro-switch 225 having a switch arm 226 extending into the compartment to func- 15 tion as a feeler responsive to the presence or absence of a bobbin in the compartment at a proper height for engagement with the switch arm.

Each such switch is exemplified as double throw switch 225 and in the preferred embodiment each such compartment has several switches at different heights such that their switch arms are projected into the compartments at predetermined levels coincident with the levels of the several horizontal rows of bobbins normally in the compartments. Since the switches are of the double throw type, they are arranged so that the movement of any given switch arm in opposite directions closes alternate circuits.

Referring to the circuit diagram in FIG. 22 it will be seen that the switches of the respective compartments are arranged therefor in a plurality of horizontal rows corresponding to the horizontal rows of wound bobbins in the compartment when filled to capacity, and with the vertical row of switches A, B, C and D of each compartment each controlling a pair of solenoids 246 and 247, correspondingly distinguished respectively by the letters A, B, C and D.

The switches of each row are so disposed that when their respective row or level is fully occupied with wound bobbins, the switch arms 226 will all be positioned to place the several switches in series in a circuit 228, through which circuit the several rows of switches simultaneously are connected in series. This -same circuit 228 extends through and includes the cycle clutch control solenoid 239 shown in FIGURE 14. The plunger 231 of this solenoid is linked at 232 to a secondary control lever 233 for the cycle clutch 235. Thislever 233 is pivotally supported at 236 for swinging movement in a path to bring its wedge-like free end 237 into and from a position to retract the driving pin or dog 240 of the cycling clutch and thereby to disrupt its drive to the cycle shaft 70. Viewing FIG. 14 it will be understood that as solenoid 230 is energized, plunger 231 will shift to the left from its active position as illustrated in that view into the core of the solenoid thereby rocking lever 233 counterclockwise about it pivot 236 whereupon the wedge-like upper end 237 of the lever will cam dog 240 out of engagement with clutch 235. This latter event occurs only when the solenoid 230 is energized due to the filling to capacity of all of the magazine'compartments by wound bobbins.

In such event it is desirable to discontinue the operation of the cycle shaft and the winding mechanism in order to avoid the winding of bobbins in excess of the capacity of the loom to use them.

Normally, however, the clutch 235 is controlled in usual manner by the primary control member 242 in a manner disclosed more fully in the Goodhue et al. Patent 2,763,443. Briefly, and with reference to FIGS.

' 3 and 14, member 242 has a chamfered end 242 operable to bias dog 240 away from engagement with cycle clutch 235. Member 242 is operated in response to the donning of an empty bobbin in chucks 12, 14 as set forth in the aforesaid Goodhue et al. patent.

It will be apparent that as soon as the solenoid 230 is deenergized by movement of any of the switches to the position designated as P in FIG. 22, the secondary clutch control member 233 will immediately be disengaged from the cycling clutch 235 by action of the spring 239, to permit resumption of the winding operation in normal manner.

Such movement of any switch to the position P will then divert the circuit from the solenoid 230 and cause the electrical energy to flow through one of the branch conductors 245 to energize the carrier positioning solenoid 246 and also the tray positioning solenoid 247, con trolling thesupply of bobbins for its respective compartment. Each carrier positioning solenoid 246 controls the actuation of one of the positioning stops 123. Thus referring to FIG. 15 when such a solenoid 246 is energized, it retracts its plunger 248 and thereby brings its associated positioning stop 123 into position for operative reception in the notch 249 in the coupling rack for thecarriages 52 and 80. The operative positioning of any such stop 123 will accordingly be seen to determine the setting of the traverse feed increment carriage 52 and the carrier arms in such manner as to insure that the proper type of yarn will be wound on a bobbin at the proper rate of traverse for replenishing the supply of wound bobbins in a given compartment.

The solenoids 247 control the projection to operative position of the respective positioning stops 185 which are selectively projected to arrest the return movement of the bobbin conveyor 181.

Due to their particular arrangement in circuit with each other and with their respective sets of solenoids 246A-D and 247A-D, only one switch at a time in a given horizontal row can energize its respective solenoids, as this will cause the energizing current to by-pass the switches beyond it in the series circuit 228. Similarly, it will be apparent that if two or more switches in a different horizontal row, or at different levels, are actuated at the same time due to decrease of bobbin supply, the lowermost such switch will have precedence over all of those above it, to thereby insure the supplying of a wound bobbin to the lowest level.

It will be appreciated that the solenoids 247 are of the delayed action type and adjustable to hold their settings at their plungers for the period required for completion of the winding of a bobbin and its deposition in the appropriate magazine compartment.

Summary of operation It is believed that the operation of the foregoing mechanism will be apparent from the preceding description. However, a summary of the operation is as follows:

After the winding of any given bobbin has been completed and a new winding cycle is to be commenced, the cycling shaft 70 will have its drive initiated through means of the one revolution clutch in the manner described'in the Goodhue et al. Patent 2,763,443 and the relationships of the various elements driven under the control of the cycling shaft '78 will be such as to produce the following sequence of operations.

The tail stock 14, see FIG. 1, first starts its retraction stroke for releasing the bobbin just wound, while the grip arms 16 commence their travel to replace the wound bobbin with a new bobbin from the empty bobbin rack 15.

During this same period the particular carrier arm 91 which has carried the yarn to the bobbin just completed will be partially projected and then immediately retracted back to its starting position so that it may grip and clamp the yarn extending from the completely wound bobbin in a manner to retain the end of the yarn leading from the supply, while releasing the end of yarn extending from the bobbin.

The wound bobbin then drops on the pivoted shelf 215, FIG. 16, and the severed end of yarn extending from it is taken by a usual retriever hook or mechanism for carrying to a suitable drum or other holding means in the manner described in the Goodhue et al. patent above mentioned.

The bobbin drops from the shelf 215 for delivery through the chute into the tray 172. The tray 172 is then released from its latched position to carry the bobbin over the particular'compartment of the wound bobbin magazine 165 as determined by the projection of one of the tray stops under the control of the indicator or sensing control mechanism earlier described.

At about this point the gripper arms 116 will have completed the donning of the new bobbin which will be gripped and held in temporarily stationary position between the head stock and tail stock 12 and 14.

After the new bobbin is received in its proper compartment in the wound bobbin magazine 165, the selector and control means will be actuated or influenced by the re ception of this newly wound bobbin to position the stops 185 and 123 which will govern the selection and winding of yarn on the newly donned bobbin. In the event at this time, all of the magazine compartments are completely filled with wound bobbins, then the solenoid 230, FIG. 14, will have been energized to discontinue the rotation of the cycling cam shaft 70 until there is a vacancy in one of the compartments.

Assuming that there is a vacancy in a given magazine compartment, the carriages 52 and 80 will have been positioned accordingly so that the carriages 52 and 89 for the yarn carrier arms 91 and increment adjusting screws 47 will be brought to new operative positions as determined by the projection of one of the stops 123.

At this time the bobbin gripper arms 16 will have been substantially returned to their retracted positions. The selected carrier arm 91, having been brought into driving relation with the rack 190, is now projected through its operative stroke to deliver yarn to the bobbin in the manner described in more detail in the preceding description. After the yarn has been delivered to the bobbin and caught beneath its cleats, the ensuing rotation of the bobbin will withdraw the free end of yarn from the carrier arm and its associated clamping means, following which the projected arm will then be retracted back to its starting position with its shear clamp open in readiness to again pick up and hold its associated yarn at the beginning of the next operational cycle.

The winding of the yarn on the new bobbin then continues until completion, at which time the winding is discontinued under the control of means as explained in the Goodhue et a1. Patent 2,763,443.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a multi-color box loom of the class in which separate supplies of bobbin, each supply of which is wound with a preselected yarn are used by the loom in a predetermined sequence, a winding machine, means for donning bare bobbins on said winding machine for winding, means for domng each said bobbin upon completion of the winding operation, a plurality of yarn carriers for selectively presenting different yarns to the bobbins whereby each said bobbin is wound with a preselected yarn, a plurality of magazines each adapted to receive and hold bobbins wound with a difiierent yarn for delivery to the loom shuttle, means for positioning bobbins wound by said winding machine in said magazines, and control means including means for controlling said yarn carriers to maintain a predetermined number of wound bobbins in each of said magazines.

2. In a multi-color box loom of the class in which separate supplies of bobbins, each of which is wound with a preselected yarn are used by the loom in a predetermined sequence, a winding machine, means for donning bare bobbins on said winding machine for winding, means for dofiing each said bobbin upon completion of the winding operation, a plurality of yarn carriers for selectively presenting diiferent yarns to the bobbins in a predetermined sequence whereby each said bobbin is wound with a preselected yarn, a plurality of magazines each adapted to receive and hold bobbins wound with a diiferent yarn for delivery to the loom shuttle, means for positioning bobbins wound by said winding machine in said magazines, and control means including means for controlling said positioning means so that wound bobbins are deposited in the appropriate magazines.

3. In a multi-color box loom of the class in which separate supplies of bobbins, each supply of which is wound with a preselected yarn are used by the loom in a predetermined sequence, a winding machine, means for donning bare bobbins on said winding machine for winding, means for doffing each said bobbin upon completion of the winding operation, a plurality of yarn carriers for selectively presenting different yarns to the bobbins whereby each said bobbin is wound with a preselected yarn, a plurality of magazines each adapted to receive and hold bobbins wound with a different yarn for delivery to the loom shuttle, means for positioning bobbins wound by said winding machine in said magazines, and control means for said yarn carriers and said positioning means to maintain a predetermined number of wound bobbins in each of said magazines.

4. In combination with a multi-color box loom of the class adapted for programmed use of bobbins each of which is wound with yarn of a preselected type, a winding machine having mechanism for sequentially donning and supporting bobbins, mechanism for rotating each said bobbin about its axis to wind yarn of a preselected type thereon, and mechanism for dofliug said bobbin upon completion of the winding operation; a plurality of separately actuated yarn carriers for selectively presenting yarn of different preselected types onto bobbins supported in said mechanism, means for receiving the wound bobbins from said winding mechanism and effecting their delivery to the loom, and controls responsive to use by the loom of a bobbin wound with yarn from a given yarn carrier for causing actuation of the last mentioned carrier to deliver its yarn onto a new bobbin in the winding mechanism.

5. In an automatic winding machine of the class in cluding automatic mechanism for requentially donning and supporting bobbins, rotating each said bobbin about its axis to wind yarn thereon, and dofiing said bobbin upon completion of the winding operation, the combination with said automatic mechanism of separately actuated carriers, and drive means for actuating said carriers to selectively present different yarns to bobbins in said mechanism for winding thereon.

6. An automatic winding machine as defined in claim 5 including a plurality of magazine compartments each adapted to receive and hold bobbins Wound with a diiferent type of yarn dotted from said automatic mechanism, each said compartment being operatively associated with a separate carrier; a conveying and distributing mechanism for delivering said dotted bobbins into a given compartment corresponding to the type of yarn wound on each of said bobbins, automatic controls responsive to removal of a bobbin from any given compartment for causing actuation of the carrier associated with that compartment to present its yarn onto a new bobbin for winding, said automatic controls including means operative subsequent to the winding and dofling of said last mentioned bobbin for causing said conveying and distributing mechanism to deliver said last mentioned bobbin into said given compartment.

7. An automatic winding machine as defined in claim 5 including means for feeding the yarn axially along the bobbins during their winding, and control means for relatively varying the rates of axial feed of difierent yarns.

8. An automatic winding machine as defined in claim 6 including means for feeding the yarn axially along the bobbins during their winding, and means governed by said controls for relatively varying the rates of axial feed of diiferent yarns.

9. An automatic winding machine as defined in claim 8 including coupling means connecting said feed rate varying means with said carriers for cooperative actuation therewith whereby the rate at which yarns from the respective carriers will be fed axially along the bobbins may be independently adapted to the count of the yarn associated with each yarn carrier to wind all of the bobbins to substantially uniform diameters. 

32. IN AN AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE OF THE CLASS INCLUDING AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR SEQUENTIALLY DONNING AND SUPPORTING BOBBINS, ROTATING EACH BOBBIN ABOUT ITS AXIS TO WIND YARN THEREON, AND DOFFING SAID BOBBIN UPON COMPLETION OF THE WINDING OPERATION, IN COMBINATION WITH THE AUTOMATIC WINDING MECHANISM, YARN DELIVERY MEANS CARRYING A PLURALITY OF YARNS AND OPERABLE TO DELIVER ON SIGNAL A SELECTED ONE OF THE YARNS TO A BOBBIN IN THE MECHANISM FOR WINDING THEREON. 